Cabernet Franc
What Is Cabernet Franc?
Pronunciation: Cab-er-nay FRAHNK
Cabernet Franc is a red-wine grape variety traditionally grown in France that makes medium- to full-bodied wines typically offering red-fruit flavors and complex herbaceous accents. The grape is a significant component in some of the world’s greatest and most sought-after wines, particularly Bordeaux blends, like Château Cheval Blanc and Château Ausone, and classic red wines in the Loire Valley, too.
Cabernet Franc grapes are used primarily for dry red wines but also for rosé and sometimes sparkling wines in a few parts of the world.
The grapes grow in small to medium-sized clusters on vines that tend to be vigorous and can provide large yields. The Cabernet Franc grapes develop a blue-black color late in the growing season. The leaves usually have five lobes and show sharp “teeth” between the lobes.
A Cabernet Franc grapevine looks similar to that of Cabernet Sauvignon, which is a genetic offspring of Cabernet Franc, and to that of Merlot.
Cabernet Franc Synonyms
Cabernet Franc can sometimes be known as: Bordo, Bregon, Bouchy, Bouchet, Grow Bouchet, Cabernet Frank, Carmenet, Grosse Vidure, Messanges Rouge, Véron or Noir dur.
Cabernet Franc Regions
Cabernet Franc often is used to produce varietal wines, of which there are stunning examples made around the world, including California, Washington, New York, Italy and Canada, among others.
Cabernet Franc as a varietal wine is especially popular and traditional in the Loire Valley of France. Producers there have been working with the grape since the 11th century, mainly in the Chinon, Bourgueil, Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil, Saumur, Saumur-Champigny, Anjou and Anjou-Villages appellations.
In the Medoc district of Bordeaux, Cabernet Franc is usually a minor player in a producer’s blend, along with Merlot and sometimes Petit Verdot and Malbec. In the Pomerol and St.-Emilion districts, however, Cabernet Franc is more prominent, the most famous example being at the famous first-growth Château Cheval Blanc.
Cabernet Franc Tasting Notes
In relatively cool regions like the Loire Valley, Cabernet Franc wines are generally quite aromatic, with notes of red berry and cherry, as well as varying degrees of charming herbal, floral, pepper and cigar spice notes.
In Bordeaux and other warm regions globally, Cabernet Franc wines can show almost-sweet dark plum and lush blueberry flavors, herbaceous and tobacco nuances, along with firm tannins. In these warmer climates Cabernet Franc wines taste riper, richer and have fuller bodies. However, Cabernet Franc in general tends to be lighter in tannins and color than Cabernet Sauvignon.
Cabernet Franc Fun Facts
- It wasn’t until 1997 that Cabernet Franc was proven to be a parent grape variety, along with Sauvignon Blanc, of Cabernet Sauvignon. Researchers at the University of California, Davis, used DNA fingerprinting techniques to confirm what the grape varieties’ names long hinted at.
- Cabernet Franc is used in France to make the lightly sweet rosé wines called Cabernets d’Anjou.
- When Cabernet Franc vines were planted in northern Italy in the 19th century, the Italians at first erroneously called the vines Merlot.
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Lexington 2019 Apex Gist Ranch Estate Red (Santa Cruz Mountains)
Central CoastSmoked red fruit and red spice aromas make for a very dry ...Cellar SelectionSee Full Review$110 -
Wapato Point Cellars 2018 Cougar Crest Vineyard Cabernet Franc (Walla Walla Valley (WA))
Columbia ValleyThis is a light on its feet Cabernet Franc with elevated acidity, ...Editors’ ChoiceSee Full Review$125 -
Outward 2021 Curtis Vineyard Cabernet Franc (Santa Ynez Valley)
Central CoastThe nose on this bottling is laden with cracked pepper spice and ...See Full Review$38 -
Foxen 2019 Old Vines Tinaquaic Vineyard Cabernet Franc (Santa Maria Valley)
Central CoastThere's an elegant cigar box scent to the nose of this dry-farmed ...See Full Review$58 -
Le Vigne 2019 Patria Red (Paso Robles)
Central CoastThis is a winning Super Tuscan blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and ...See Full Review$75 -
Gramercy 2019 Estates Red (Walla Walla Valley (WA))
Columbia ValleyCabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc unite to create a flavorful wine ...See Full Review$72 -
Bianchi 2019 Reserve Cabernet Franc (Paso Robles)
Central CoastGlazed plum, lightly cracked pepper and bay leaf convey varietally familiar aromas ...See Full Review$83 -
Defiance 2019 Estate Collection Cabernet Franc (Paso Robles)
Central CoastDark cherry and aged wood aromas invite the nose into this bottling. ...See Full Review$48 -
Defiance 2018 Whipper-in Estate Red (Paso Robles)
Central CoastDense in the glass and dry on the nose, this blend of ...See Full Review$65 -
Le Vigne 2019 Nikiara Red (Paso Robles)
Central CoastDried cherry and fresh red-flower aromas show on the nose of this ...See Full Review$54 -
Lexington 2019 South Slope Gist Ranch Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (Santa Cruz Mountains)
Central CoastFresh aromas of frozen strawberry and blossoming red flowers are juicy on ...See Full Review$100 -
Col Solare 2019 Collector's Society Red Wine Red (Red Mountain)
Columbia ValleyThis Cabernet Franc-driven estate blend spent 18 months in 100% new French ...See Full Review$100 -
Lexington 2019 Gist Ranch Estate Cabernet Franc (Santa Cruz Mountains)
Central CoastThis is still a very young bottling, offering dark cherry, cranberry and ...See Full Review$70 -
Left Bend 2018 Black Ridge Vineyard Cabernet Franc (Santa Cruz Mountains)
Central CoastLight in the glass, this bottling leads with aromas of caramelized cranberry ...See Full Review$40 -
Foxen 7200 2020 Tinaquaic Vineyard Cabernet Franc (Santa Maria Valley)
Central CoastDense aromas of soy, tar and asphalt are cut by dried dark ...See Full Review$54 -
Le Dôme 2020 Saint-Émilion
BordeauxThis Cabernet Franc-dominated, single-parcel wine is rich, with a great structure and ...Cellar SelectionSee Full Review$250 -
Chappellet 2019 Cabernet Franc (Napa Valley)
NapaHeady wood smoke and graphite aromas merge into concentrated, layered flavors of ...Cellar SelectionSee Full Review$115 -
Château la Gaffelière 2020 Saint-Émilion
BordeauxThis wine's ripe tannins and fine perfumes come from the 40% Cabernet ...Cellar SelectionSee Full ReviewN/A -
Château La Tour Figeac 2020 Saint-Émilion
BordeauxThere is a fine proportion of Cabernet Franc in this wine, giving ...Cellar SelectionSee Full ReviewN/A -
Ashes & Diamonds 2019 Mountain Cuvée No. 4 Saffron Vineyard Red (Mount Veeder)
NapaThis well-proportioned wine blended from Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon offers ...See Full Review$95
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